Reading Between the Wines fundraiser returns to Riverside Public Library
Attention wine lovers, library supporters and everyone else: The historic Riverside Public Library invites you to its 6th annual Reading Between the Wines (RBTW) fundraiser on Saturday, March 1 from 6-9 p.m.
Tickets costing $45 include 11 wine tasting stations, scrumptious charcuterie cups and a chance to mingle in the library after hours.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to try a large variety of interesting wines and specialty pairings, including a sold-out red wine and pasta sauce breakout tasting session.
The wine selection is facilitated by Peter Boutsikakis, co-owner and operator of Riverside Foods on 48 E Burlington St., Riverside. This year, some of the tasting stations include Love of Zinfandel, which will feature five expressions of Zinfandel, and an Oregon tasting station featuring wines from different regions of the state.
“I focus on variety and vendor relationships,” said Boutsikakis. “RBTW is a great opportunity to try two ounces of a wine that maybe you wouldn’t commit to at a restaurant or buy off the shelf.”
RBTW is the library’s main revenue source outside its public funding, typically drawing around 300 guests and raising approximately $10,000 each year. This year, library director Jane Foley says she hopes to raise between $11,000 and $15,000 to support an update to the patron services area, which has not been updated since 1983.
“Right now, [the patron services area] is a hodgepodge of different desks and furniture from over the past 95 years. We want to freshen it up and to give the staff a better place to work,” said Foley. “We would never touch the front main desk because that has been in our building since the beginning.”
The update will include new carpeting, new bookshelves for holds and the Library of Things, and new desks and storage space for the staff. Past projects funded by RBTW include recarpeting the Great Room and a lower-level renovation.
Guests will be given order forms if they wish to purchase bottles of any of the wines offered at RBTW. These orders will be fulfilled the following week by Riverside Foods.
“We’re a medium-sized, independent grocery store and we’re constantly fighting against corporate chains and home delivery for groceries,” said Boutsikakis. “Being a part of community events is a big part of our business. This is another opportunity for folks in the area to see that the value of shopping at Riverside Foods goes beyond the price on the shelf.”
The fundraiser will only offer light bites, Boutsikakis encourages guests to dine out at local restaurants before or after the event.
“Our hopes are that folks patronize the downtown businesses for dinner. [Riverside has] some great restaurants and nice bars and after an event, we typically see a little extra activity in downtown. I’m proud to play a part in that.”
General admission tickets are $45. Each ticket includes a branded wine glass and access to 11 tasting stations. Purchase tickets online, or pay with cash or check at the library. Tickets for the red wine breakout session are sold out.
